He stood there motionless, and she… cried. She buried her face deeply in her crossed arms and wept silently. She hugged her knees, her slender body curled up so small it seemed almost invisible; each slight tremor of her shoulders struck his heart with a sharp pain.
“Xiao Yuan…” He crouched down, exerting all his willpower not to embrace her. She shouldn’t have bewitched him, and he shouldn’t have been bewitched by her. He would rather she continue to hate and blame him than disturb her any further.
In this lifetime, he will only ever be her senior brother. He will protect her, cherish her, until a man truly treats her well.
"Xiao Yuan, let's go down the mountain, it's getting late." He tried to make his tone sound calm and kind, like an... older brother.
"Pei Junwu!" She threw herself into his arms, hugging his neck tightly. She understood and felt all his repression and forbearance! There was no resentment, no scheming... At this moment, she felt only gratitude and guilt towards him.
She really wanted to tell him that she was Xiao Juyuan, that she was his wife, and that he no longer needed to be heartbroken and troubled by her... But she couldn't bring herself to say it!
Ten years have passed, and this secret has been like a sharp blade constantly cutting into her heart. The cruel twist of fate, where one person takes another's place, is like salt on the wound. But... after enduring it for so long, she smiled sadly. Keeping this secret had become a habit. She wanted to speak, to confess, but when she actually had to, she felt as if the sky had fallen and the earth had collapsed, and she couldn't utter a single word.
His chest was strong and reliable, his shoulders made her feel at ease, but... she couldn't say it, she just couldn't say it! He and "Xiao Juyuan" had a ten-year relationship, and she just said that the person he had cherished for ten years was a liar, would he believe her?
What should she do if he doesn't believe her...? No, she dares not try.
He was stiff all over; the power that had terrified the entire martial arts world was completely gone. He should have pushed her away; he should have lectured her as an elder brother, just like he had this morning. But… she clung to him tightly like a frightened child, her tears burning from his collar to his chest. He couldn’t bear to push her away, he couldn’t push her away… She was terrified by Murong Xiao, and also hurt by her father and Juyuan’s attitude.
He gently stroked her long hair, smooth as silk... "Don't cry, don't cry, Xiaoyuan. As long as I am here, whether I'm your older brother or your senior brother, I will never let anyone bully you."
Chapter 38 of "The Smiling Flower": Clumsy Methods
A soft hum, as if it came from the nose of a ghost in the dark night.
Xiao Yuan was startled. Pei Junwu's face turned cold, and he stood up with her in his arms.
It was him?!
Xiao Yuan gasped in surprise. The Palace Master of the Extinction Palace?! When did he arrive? Didn't even Pei Junwu notice?
His black cloak blended completely into the night, with only his gleaming silver mask standing out in the faint starlight, adding to his eerie and terrifying aura.
"The night is deep, and Young Master Pei seems to be enjoying himself quite a bit." His rough, hoarse voice sounded even more chilling in the night.
"Palace Master, you have quite the refined taste," Pei Junwu retorted coldly.
"If I were you, I would save my wife first." The Palace Master of Mieling Palace sneered, "You have a beauty in your arms here, but Xiao Juyuan has fallen into Murong Xiao's hands over there."
Pei Junwu's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he raised the corner of his mouth. "If I were you, I wouldn't have invaded the Pei family's territory alone again. Do you think I would believe you? Juyuan's martial arts are superior to Murong Xiao's."
The Palace Master of Mieling chuckled, "You'd better not believe me. You know better than I do what kind of person Murong Xiao is. His martial arts aren't high, but his ability to use a few sleeping pills to abduct women is something even you, Young Master Pei, can't match."
Pei Junwu remained silent.
"Hurry up and go! Better safe than sorry, otherwise the most beautiful woman in the martial arts world might end up as someone else's wife." The Palace Master of Extinction Palace laughed heartily, looking very happy.
Pei Junwu leaped into the air, saying, "Let's go and learn a few moves first!" He flipped one hand outward and actually used "Frost Blade".
The incident happened suddenly, but the Palace Master of Extinction Palace remained calm and composed. He glided low to the ground like a snake, yet his clothes were not covered in dust. His superb lightness skill made Xiao Yuan's expression change. The Palace Master of Extinction Palace was truly an unfathomable person.
Seeing that he easily dodged his attack, Pei Junwu smiled coldly, confident in his abilities, and stopped attacking. "Let's go, Xiao Yuan, let's go back."
"Then he..." Xiao Yuan looked at him hesitantly, then at the Palace Master of Mie Ling. Was he going to let him go?!
"Let's go down the mountain first." Pei Junwu's face turned pale. The information that the Palace Master of Mieling Palace had said might not be entirely false, and he couldn't ignore it.
"You go first, I still have things to talk to him about." Xiao Yuan didn't move.
Pei Junwu frowned. "Xiao Yuan, now is not the time to be stubborn."
She smiled at him, shook her head, and said, "It's not out of spite, but there are a few things I really need to ask him."
Pei Junwu frowned anxiously. How could he possibly leave her alone on the mountain with a man of such mysterious identity as the Palace Master of Mieling Palace? But…
The Palace Master of Mieling Palace was in a good mood. Although his expression couldn't be seen, his low chuckle was quite leisurely. "Little girl, your 'senior brother' is worried about you. Young Hero Pei, you don't need to be so anxious. I exaggerated the situation a bit earlier. Let's finish talking with the little beauty. If there's still time, I guarantee you'll marry a wife exactly as she was."
Pei Junwu glared at him sharply.
"My little beauty, just ask me anything, I'll answer everything I know." He chuckled twice more.
"I need to talk to you about this privately," Xiao Yuan said coldly and resolutely.
Both the Palace Master of Mieling Palace and Pei Junwu were taken aback, somewhat surprised.
"Alright, let's go!" He leaped towards the edge of the cliff, and Xiao Yuan, though far behind, followed him to the edge.
Pei Junwu didn't move, watching the two figures from afar, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.
Xiao Yuan stood still; the situation was urgent, and there was no need for her to beat around the bush with him.
"Is Gao Tianjing still in your hands?"
The Palace Master of Mieling Palace chuckled in a low voice, "What, you also want to know the secret he told me about the Xiao family's treasure?"
“I’m not interested in knowing,” she said coldly and bluntly. “What I want to ask about is a woman beside him, Xiao Ji.”
The Palace Master of Mieling Palace was stunned for a moment before saying, "How do you know about Xiao Ji?"
"Is she in your hands too?" She didn't need to answer his question.
"Yes." He was quite generous.
"I want to see her, name your conditions."